Third Worker Expected To Resign In City Hall Shake-up

WESTMINSTER — The resignations of two city workers are strictly related to "job performance" and the matter remains an internal issue, city officials said.

Mayor W. Benjamin Brown accepted the resignation Friday afternoon of Jonathan W. Frenzel, assistant director of the Public Works Department, who had been on paid leave for about a week. He had turnedin his resignation Wednesday.

Kevin C. Bode, supervisor in the city's Planning Department, resigned the week before. His resignation has been accepted by the mayor.

A third city worker, William S. Mowell, director of public works,has taken a paid leave. Mowell, who would not comment on the matter,also is expected to resign, Council President William F. Haifley said.

In the interim, Thomas B. Beyard, the city's director of planning, is serving as acting director of public works.

Brown said the shake-up has not affected operations at City Hall, and snow removal during the area's second winter storm went smoothly Thursday.

The mayor said the two resignations stemmed from how the workers were using their hours on city time and how they were performing their duties.

"We're not conducting a criminal investigation," he said. "It's strictly a personnel issue."

He declined to elaborate further, saying, "I don't see how I can comment in this situation."

Brown said further comments on the situation would have to come from the employees involved.

Frenzel, who has worked for the city for four years, said, "The only thing I can add is that I've resigned from employmentwith the City of Westminster in order to seek more rewarding employment."

The 32-year-old city resident added he had a "couple of nicelooking opportunities."